KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the aftermath of Wednesday’s mass shooting following the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally, Americans are once again forced to reckon with the presence of firearms in society.
The Kansas City Police Department reports that more than 20 people were injured in the shooting, 11 of them children, and local radio personality Lisa Lopez was killed. Three people are in custody in connection with the shooting, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said.
As the country copes with yet another mass shooting—the 49th this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive—questions abound over safety and security, with many curious over Missouri gun laws. Whether it comes from a place of concern or outrage, some are asking, “Is Missouri an open carry state?”
The short answer is yes. You are allowed to openly carry a firearm in public, so long as you don’t display the weapon in an angry or threatening manner. In 2016, the Missouri General Assembly reversed a state law to allow open carry, meaning conceal carry permits are no longer needed to possess a gun. While federal law has an age requirement to buy a firearm, Missouri law stipulates that a person under the age of 18 can purchase a firearm with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Open carry is still prohibited in some places, even with a permit; among them are airports, hospitals, places of worship, polling places, jails or police stations, and sports facilities. Firearms are not permitted in government buildings, however, Governor Mike Parson approved a rule change in November 2018 allowing people to bring guns to the state capitol if they have a permit. Guns are still not allowed in Missouri House or Senate chambers.
Under state law, cities and local governments are allowed to regulate the open carrying of a firearm, meaning municipalities can require concealed carry permits, but many don’t because they are afraid of the legal action that could be brought against them.
In 2021, lawmakers approved the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” better known as SAPA, prohibiting police officers from enforcing federal gun laws. If they do, they could be fined up to $50,000.
Back in March 2023, a federal judge ruled SAPA “unconstitutional,” saying state law cannot override federal rules. At the time, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said he planned to fight that decision by appealing. Dozens of agencies, including more than 60 police chiefs, spoke out in opposition to the law last year, saying it interferes with federal partners and the use of national databases and resources.
Prior reporting from FOX 2’s Emily Manley was used in this story.
